Supa Mario
The Tongan language has, for the lack of a better explanation, linguistically evolved through time. At the arrival of cars, vans and other vehicles, aircrafts, etc we did not have Tongan words for it for we did not have them at all to begin with. So imagine the struggle they must have had in translating these English words into Tongan.
We have words that would describe them in the most simplest form. For instance, vehicles were translated as “me’alele” which literally translates as “something that moves.” Another translation for vehicle is the phrase “saliote mīsini” which literally translates as a “chariot with machine.” An aeroplane is translated as “vakapuna” which literally translates as a “boat that can flies.”
It is pathetically stressful and understandably so that we are unable to translate well the vast majority of pre-existing English words, not to mention the new ones of the modern-technological era. Our language is definitely in dire need of an upgrade. Luckily, we have observed how it has evolved throughout the years and we can envision how it can continue to do so consistently.
Updates so far
Prior to embracing Christianity, certain Tongan words we use daily today did not exist back then. For instance, the Tongan word “Kolosi” would not have made any sense to Tongans back then.
This was one of many additional Tongan words added to the Tongan vocabulary. “Kolosi” translates as “Cross” which is literally the pronunciation of the English word but with the Tongan accent. The act of doing this is recently and now commonly referred to as “Tonganizing” an English word.
We have completely “Tonganize” almost every new English word. For instance, “Tekinolosia” for Technology, “Komipiuta” for Computer. Back then we did the same with “‘Apele” for Apples, “Kāpisi” for Cabbages and “Meleni” for Melons. This goes to show that most of the vocabulary we use daily in the Tongan language did not originate here in Tonga.
If we are to go further back into the past, we would also find that most, if not the entire vocabulary did not originate here in Tonga. The first settlers in Tonga arrived with the earliest version of the language and it somehow evolved through time.
Nowadays, while there is a Tongan word for some English words, some prefer to go with the “Tonganized” version of the translation. Some would bilingually mix Tongan and English words in the same sentence. Both approaches have been formally and informally used but has been attracting criticisms from conservatives of the Tongan language.
For instance, there was a Government function not too long ago that was aimed at discussing the issue of fighting drugs. Some voiced out their concerns when they heard words like “‘imipeki”, a Tonganized version of the word “impact”. They somehow complained that the proper Tongan word “uesia” should have been used instead of “‘imipeki”.
While their concerns are understandable, it is hypocritical at the same time. We have comfortably being Tonganizing words like “Kolosi”, for more than a century instead of “‘akau fakalava” as the proper translation. So why are we suddenly offended now?
The language of the old
The truth is, there are some who are still using, what we could refer to as “old Tongan vocabs”. These are the words that were once used in the past as per daily conversations.
Unfortunately, most of these words are no longer applicable today because they once belonged in an era when Tongans were living in small houses build from coconut leaves, travel by means of horses and chariots, sailed canoes and played sports like “lafo” and “sika”. Most of these words would not make much sense today because people are now living in brick/concrete houses, they have cars and vans and like playing rugby.
These old vocabs had its meaning tied directly to things of the past. If we could go back in time, the Tongan words used in today’s normal conversation cannot be understood in the past. Likewise, the “old Tongan vocabs” may have made much sense in the past, but not in the present. But because some are still hanging on to a culture that is mostly, no longer relevant, they hang on also to phrases and words that no longer make sense.
They see it as being the only proper and respectable way of communicating, especially for Government officials and politicians. These “old Tongan vocabs” are rarely used in any normal conversation and would commonly be used in funerals, weddings, and other Tongan traditional functions.
The fact is, only a very few people can understand and communicate using these “old Tongan vocabs”. These words are tied to objects and things that are no longer being used. The users, or speakers of these vocabs would boast in pride of being the remaining few who understand it.
These boasts coincides with the fact that today’s generation is struggling to understand literature such as poems and songs composed by revered poets and artists such as the Late Queen Salote Tupou III. But these boasts are irrelevant when considering what communication truly is and its purpose.
To communicate, the sender sends out a message. The message in this case are the words being spoken or written. The meaning of the message is being decoded successfully by the receiver, given that he is able to understand it and then responds appropriately. But with these “old Tongan vocabs” there’s only a very few that can accurately decode their meaning.
So it doesn’t make sense to keep communicating in a manner where communication itself is hindered. It may be an appealing way of composing a song to use metaphors to hide its true meaning, but it is not an ideal way of communicating. In fact, it is the worst approach in communication.
It has also being joked around that if a young man wishes to woo a young lady successfully, he shouldn’t be using these “old Tongan vocabs”. This is due to the undeniable fact that these “old Tongan vocabs” would not make any sense at all.
However, it hasn’t stopped certain preachers of the Gospel from using these “old Tongan vocabs” in their sermons. They have failed in realizing the most important aspect of communication, that is by definition to communicate.
Using these old vocabs is like refusing to make video calls through Facebook Messenger and trying to send telegrams via telegraph. It is absurd that this is the same mentality in which some are hanging on to our culture.
Trying to make relevant what no longer does
Since our culture is reflected in our language, some have urged the public on the importance of using these “old Tongan vocabs”, so as to keep our culture. It has been taught also as part of our children’s curriculum at school.
However, some schools have recognized the importance of the English language in our Children’s education and have mandated that every student should speak in English at all times in School. In a desperate attempt by the then Minister of Education Hon Dr ʻAna Taufeʻulungaki, the English language as a subject was removed from being taught at several classes in Government Primary Schools.
While I have the utmost respect for the lot who is desperately holding on to these “old Tongan vocabs”, they just do not realize that change is inevitable. It is a fact of life and essentially the key to any form of progress.
Language changes, adapts, evolves and ours have been seen to have upgraded itself to some extent with time. On the other hand, our culture may have evolved also in some degree, but it has not picked up the required pace. So as some of these “old Tongan vocabs” starts fading away, conservatives are concerned that our culture would likewise fade. Changes to our language has become a threat to them.
But why shouldn’t we be concerned?
Language is and should always remain a principal method of human communication. However, it should be noted that the Tongan language was more than just a method of communication, it was also a medium in which our culture was communicated. And unfortunately, language has been a major glue that makes injustice a key aspect of the culture.
The hierarchy that dictates rank in society as King, Nobles and Commoners is heavily entrenched in the Tongan language itself. There are words used explicitly only for addressing the King such as “taumafa” for eating. There’s a different word called “‘ilo” which also translates as eating but used primarily for the Nobles. And for the rest of the Commoners, a different word, “kai” is used.
Our Tongan language itself divides and keeps us in this hierarchical structure that has passes on injustice from one generation to another. Our ancestors as Commoners were slaves and were treated as animals. Our very own language mirrors this.
The Tongan word that translates as children differs when used to the King, Nobles and Commoner. For the King’s children, the word “Fale’alo” is used which literally translates as being born inside the house. But for a Commoner’s children, the word “”Uhiki” is used which literally translates as the offspring of an animal. This is to be understood that the offspring of animals are being born outside the house (usually in a cage) while royalty are instead born inside.
The proper Tongan translation for Commoner is “ha’a me’avale” which literally translates as a tribe of ignorant fools. That is the proper translation and is also written in our Constitution. The majority of the island nation are referred to and being treated as ignorant fools.
Since our ancestors were slaves, we descended as such generating through time a slave mentality. We may have been emancipated by King Tupou I, but that mentality didn’t go away. We accepted then and many are now still proud of this, thus still referring to their own children as animals and referring to themselves as ignorant fools.
We have accepted this culture, along with it this language for more than a century, thus embracing injustice being done towards us. This is highly due to the fact that many are under the delusion that we should forever be thankful and be “Grateful Slaves” to our masters. They consider it as a slap in the face when they see the Tongan language evolving in a pace that could affect the culture that it should supposedly communicate.
But for how long are we to keep referring to our children as animals? How long are we to keep referring to ourselves as ignorant fools? How long will our language be the very medium of injustice?
END.